Serena Williams: 'Ronaldinho-like' talent, but can she win Grand Slam matches?

Serena Williams' comeback: Ronaldinho-esque skill, but fitness questions remain

Serena Williams' return to tennis at Wimbledon after a four-year hiatus ended with a first-round defeat to Australia's Maya Joint, but analysts highlight several encouraging signs. Former player Naomi Broady, writing for BBC Sport, compares Williams' natural talent to legendary footballer Ronaldinho — the movement may not be what it once was, but the skill and timing are unmistakable.

Williams sustained a knee injury at Wimbledon that prevented her from playing doubles with her sister Venus. Despite this, her serve speed has barely dropped since 2016, when she won the last of her seven Wimbledon singles titles. Her groundstroke speed is down by only four or five miles per hour.

However, her footwork and court movement need improvement. Williams played predominantly through the middle of the court rather than opening up wider angles, likely due to caution in movement. Broady notes that more match practice could significantly help.

If Williams decides to play the US Open, the North American hard-court season will provide a clearer test of her fitness. The severity of her knee injury and its impact on her schedule remain unclear. Broady speculates that Williams would want at least one warm-up tournament before New York to get more competitive court time.

Williams' serve technique remains one of the cleanest in tennis history. According to Broady, no player would want to face Williams in the US Open draw — she is not a sure win for anyone.

As for long-term goals, Broady suggests the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics could be a fairy-tale finish for Williams' career, if her body holds up.

Williams earned £80,000 for her Wimbledon appearance, adding to her career prize money of over £71 million.